Civilised
We want safer streets that will encourage people to walk and cycle.
We need walking and cycling to become the norm for short trips if we are to improve public health.
The move to sustainable transport will require Scotland to:
- Comply with European law on air quality. It's not acceptable that people are being killed in Scotland because fumes from traffic remain too high. Scotland’s towns and cities have a responsibility to meet the air quality targets laid down in EU law. If they don’t meet these targets, they face the prospect of legal action from those affected by dangerous levels of pollution.
- Reduce road traffic levels. This can be achieved cost-effectively through investment in sustainable transport infrastructure, stricter enforcement of existing planning guidance, and through the application of appropriate demand management measures.
- Increase investment in active travel. Investment in walking and cycling to at least match its importance in terms of modal share. London has launched an ambitious cycling investment programme, and we need to see similar levels of investment for walking and cycling across Scotland.
- Deliver safer, more civilised streets. We need to see the widespread adoption of ‘Home Zones’, 20mph zones and traffic calming in residential areas. We want to see 20mph speed limits become the default speed limit in residential areas.
- Put in place a national public transport smartcard. London’s ‘Oystercard’ has been fantastically successful, and we would like to see the delivery of a similar scheme in Scotland. We believe that this is the one single measure which has the potential to significantly increase public transport use in Scotland.
- Deliver major improvements in the conditions for public transport users. There needs to be substantial improvements in the waiting and interchange environment, with better information and ticketing systems. Bus operators, for their part, need to ensure high standards, with continuing investment in new cleaner vehicles and good levels of service.
- Invest in high-quality public transport in our major cities. The Edinburgh trams will provide the sort of public transport quality that will get us close to the best public transport systems across Europe – low emissions, accessible, and sustainable. Once completed, we want to see expansion of Edinburgh's tram network – and for the other Scottish cities to develop their own proposals (whether for metros, tram-trains, trams or trolleybuses).
- Ensure social justice is considered in the planning of transport. We need a transport system that doesn't disadvantage the elderly, the disabled, or those on low incomes.